A high-level meeting was convened under the leadership of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to outline the implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the military enlistment of yeshiva students. Attendees included top figures from the IDF, the Justice Ministry, the Treasury, and national security sectors.
Data shared at the session revealed that, according to IDF records, 1,721 soldiers from the chareidi community were drafted between June 2024 and July 2025, marking the beginning of the current conscription year.
Officials used the meeting to present an extensive roadmap for the 2025 recruitment cycle, designed to increase the draft rate and boost compliance through tougher enforcement measures. These include the following initiatives:
• Draft Summonses – The army reported that approximately 54,000 induction notices are to be distributed by the end of July to all eligible candidates up to the age of 16.5. Additionally, men with existing deferments will now be summoned to appear for enlistment procedures.
• Tighter Enforcement – Beginning next month, the military will accelerate its tracking and prosecution of draft dodgers. The time span between a missed enlistment date and the issuance of an arrest warrant will be shortened—from the current two months to around six weeks, with a further goal of compressing it to four months from the initial notice.
• Border Control Crackdowns – Military authorities outlined plans for increased scrutiny at border crossings in conjunction with the Population Authority, Israel Police, and immigration officials. Anyone identified as a draft dodger at the border will be taken into custody for enlistment.
• Active Search and Intelligence Campaigns – Military police units will conduct regular raids and set up roadblocks in areas with high rates of draft evasion. The army pledged to carry out more targeted arrests, using updated intelligence to locate and detain those avoiding service.
The IDF also announced that throughout September, those who are currently evading enlistment will be given one final chance to voluntarily report for duty. Those who do so will begin their service immediately, and only afterward will the possibility of legal action or criminal prosecution be considered. Officials noted that expansion of military detention infrastructure is being explored to accommodate the expected surge in enforcement.
During the meeting, the need to broaden enforcement methods was stressed, including the revocation of state benefits for those refusing to serve. Treasury officials were urged to collaborate in this effort, and participants emphasized the importance of moving ahead with supporting legislation.
Attorney General Baharav-Miara expressed support for the army’s proposed plan and affirmed the necessity of ongoing monitoring. She called for a follow-up session in which updated enforcement statistics, detention logistics, and unresolved issues within the Education Ministry would be reviewed.
It was also decided that a comprehensive affidavit will be submitted to the Supreme Court, detailing all relevant data, current enforcement procedures, and guidelines for arresting draft evaders at Israel’s border crossings.
In reaction to the developments, UTJ chairman MK Moshe Gafni declared, “Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has declared herself the chief warrior against the world of Torah, Torah learners, and the Jewish people. We will not allow even one yeshiva student to be prevented from studying Torah and ending his studies. The Jewish people are taught by the trials of history, both near and far, that tried to prevent the study of Torah. We know what happened to them.”
{Matzav.com Israel}